2021 Toyota Sienna recalls, problems & safety ratings
NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2021 Toyota Sienna and 45 owner complaints. The most-reported problem areas are air bags (13), service brakes (9), structure (5). It earned a 5-star overall NHTSA safety rating. EPA-rated fuel economy is 35–36 mpg combined, depending on engine.
The 2021 ranks #4 of 14 Sienna model years for fewest complaints (2012–2025), with fewer complaints than the average year (120). It has 4 recalls vs. an average of 5.4 per model year.
Recalls 4
Every recall NHTSA lists for the 2021 Toyota Sienna. Not every recall applies to every vehicle, so check your VIN. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer.
Equipment adaptive/mobility · wheelchair restraints/securement · latch/anchor ·
Problem: Vantage Mobility, LLC (VM) is recalling certain 2021-2026 Honda Odyssey, 2021-2025 Chrysler Pacifica, and Toyota Sienna vehicles equipped with QRT-Deluxe and QRT-Max wheelchair restraints. The retractors may not lock, preventing the wheelchair from being properly secured.
Risk: An unsecured wheelchair can move during transit, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the retractors, free of charge. Owner notification letters was mailed January 27, 2026. Owners may contact Vantage Mobility customer service at 1-800-488-9082.
Seats · mid/rear assembly · recliner
Problem: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Sienna Hybrid vehicles. The bolts for the seatbacks on the third-row seat assemblies may not be tightened properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 202, "Head Restraints," 207, "Seating Systems," and 225, "Child Restraint Anchorage Systems."
Risk: An improperly tightened seatback may not adequately restrain the occupant during a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will tighten the seat assembly bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 1, 2025. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 25TA05.
Air bags · sensor · occupant classification
Problem: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short circuit may develop in the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor, preventing the front passenger air bag from deploying.
Risk: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue to be mailed in phases through January 2026. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TB15/23TA15 Lexus 23LB03/23LA03.
Electronic stability control (esc) · control module · software
Problem: Toyota Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022 Lexus LX 600, Lexus NX 350h, Lexus NX 450h+, Toytoa RAV4 Hybrid, 2021-2022 Lexus LS 500h, Toyota Mirai, RAV4 PRIME, Sienna, Venza, and 2020-2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid vehicles. The Skid Control ECU software may not turn on the Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) system when the vehicle is restarted after the driver has disabled the VSC system. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."
Risk: Driving with a deactivated stability control system increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the Skid Control ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 27, 2022. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 22TA03. Lexus' number for this recall is 22LA01.
Common problems
From complaints owners filed with NHTSA. Complaints aren't verified, but patterns across hundreds of owners point to known weak spots.
Most-reported problem areas
By the numbers
Recent owner reports
I purchased my 2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid new in March 2021. For several years I have had an intermittent braking problem: when I apply the brakes, especially while slowing down or driving downhill, the vehicle sometimes lurches or feels like it suddenly accelerates forward instead of slowing. I must press the brake pedal again to stop. This happens without warning and is fright…
This is a supplemental correction to my NHTSA complaint #XXX (2021 Toyota Sienna Hybrid, VIN [XXX]). The description of the brake defect itself is unchanged; I am correcting the service-history details. First dealer visit: the correct date is XXX, at approximately 41,192 miles, Repair Order #XXX, at Checkered Flag Toyota of [XXX]. I reported that when braking downhill, the veh…
The front passenger door lock actuator does not work properly causing the door to stay locked or unlocked despite attempts to change the door lock through the internal power locking system or remote key. This presents a safety issue in that it requires a manual lock/unlocking of the door should an emergency situation arise and expeditious ingress or egress from the vehicle be r…
Safety ratings
2021 Toyota SIENNA HYBRID VAN AWD
2021 Toyota SIENNA HYBRID VAN FWD
Fuel economy
EPA ratings for common configurations of the 2021 Toyota Sienna.
Sienna Hybrid 2WD
Auto (AV-S6) · 4 cyl · 2.5 L
Regular
Sienna Hybrid AWD
Auto (AV-S6) · 4 cyl · 2.5 L
Regular
Other model years
Questions
How many recalls does the 2021 Toyota Sienna have?
NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2021 Toyota Sienna, most recently for equipment adaptive/mobility · wheelchair restraints/securement · latch/anchor · (12/17/2025). Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer. Enter your VIN to check whether a recall applies to your vehicle.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Toyota Sienna?
Based on 45 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported areas are air bags (13), service brakes (9), structure (5).
Is the 2021 Toyota Sienna safe?
The 2021 Toyota Sienna earned a 5-star overall rating in NHTSA's 5-star safety ratings.
Is the 2021 a good year for the Toyota Sienna?
The 2021 ranks #4 of 14 Sienna model years for fewest complaints (2012–2025), with fewer complaints than the average year (120). It has 4 recalls vs. an average of 5.4 per model year.
What gas mileage does the 2021 Toyota Sienna get?
EPA ratings for the 2021 Toyota Sienna range from 35 to 36 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain.
Own a 2021 Toyota Sienna in South Carolina?
Our mobile mechanics diagnose and fix the problems above at your home, office or fleet lot in Lexington, Columbia and the Midlands, with dealer-grade scan tools.
Related vehicles
Sources: NHTSA recalls, complaints and 5-Star Safety Ratings APIs; EPA fueleconomy.gov. Data retrieved October 21, 2026. NHTSA model names used: SIENNA HYBRID, Sienna.